NBA Street V3

Other products by Electronic Arts

Product Features

• Play on 12 authentic courts around the world, from Rucker Park in NYC to Venice Beach, California -- even courts in Europe
• Go wild with the Gamebreakers - turn combos into a 3-man aerial dunk assault
• The Trick Stick gives you complete control of the rock -- take your dunka nd slams further, and make up your own crazy moves
• Show off your style with over 1,000 different custom options - hairstyles, gear and accessories are yours to play with
• Build and customize your home court from the ground up - Create a home court advantage with new court surface, net, and backboard styles

Product Details

• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0006ZJPRI
• Product Dimensions: 5.4 x 0.5 x 7.5 inches ; 5 ounces
• Media: Video Game
• Release Date: June 15, 2006
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #10,973 in Video Games (See Bestsellers in Video Games)

Product Description

Platform: Xbox

Amazon.com

Some franchises just run out of steam. NBA Jam is one of them. It started off strong – redefining video game basketball as we know it – had a phenomenal sophomore year, then plummeted from grace with such momentum that even those who praised the series wouldn't touch it with a ten-foot pole. NBA Street is walking directly in the footsteps of this highly influential game, but it has no intention of hanging its shoes up anytime soon. While sticking to the high-flying, rim-rockin' antics that launched the series to the top of the charts, developer EA Canada has implemented enough exciting new content to make the experience fresh and addictive yet again.

In many ways, EA has gone back to the drawing board to present the game in an entirely new light. Moving away from the mile-high afros, graffiti-riddled courts, and playful caricaturizing of the previous two releases, this series' ankle-breaking jukes and orbital slams are now visualized with the utmost realism. Courts are teeming with animated fans, leaves falling off of trees, and breathtaking lighting effects that produce blinding rays and photorealistic shading. The player models are also impressively detailed with swaying jerseys, the authentication of signature apparel, and facial texturing that is perfected to the very pimple.

For those of you who feel that looks mean about as much as a new hair color for Dennis Rodman, the most significant changes to this year's addition stem from gameplay. Focusing on the most exciting aspect of the game, dunks reign supreme in this iteration. Above and beyond the the assortment of jams that you'll be able to perform throughout the course of the game, players can now customize their slams when activating a GameBreaker. When your character takes flight, tapping the right analog stick in different directions will make your player perform different moves such as windmills, double pumps, and an array of remarkable feats. More impressive yet, you can also toss the ball to an airborne teammate before you land to create a two- or three-man combo that will simply decimate your opponent.

To ensure that players are flying through the air at any given time, EA has also created an insanely deep Dunk Contest mode. Bounce the rock behind your back, leap to grab it, then spin and double pump as you bring the backboard crashing to the ground. Or if you really want to get crazy, drag props such as vending machines and port-a-potties onto the court and soar over them. Unlike the latest entry of NBA Live, this mode is easy to use, has more slams in its arsenal than Spud Webb (who is in the game), and couldn't be much more entertaining.

Regarding the battle for position on the court, EA has removed the trick buttons in favor of mapping deke moves to the right analog stick. Each 45-degree angle performs a different move. Apply the modifier buttons to the equation and you have an expansive arsenal at your fingertips. This new format is much easier to tap into and be successful with. Much like dunking, a combo meter tracks how many dekes you can chain together and creates a higher multiplier for the forthcoming shot or dunk.

Be a Legend mode has been replaced by the similarly designed and equally amusing Street Challenge. Build a baller from the ground up, create your own shoes, and compete in challenges that range from dunk-only contests to the first to perform a GameBreaker. As you gain reputation, you'll be asked to join an NBA team for league play. You'll also get the chance to build your own court. As nice as it is to have turf to call your own, there's little in the way of customization options.

On occasion, your CPU opponents will make some silly mistakes along the lines of using a GameBreaker to shoot a three-pointer during a dunk-only contest, but the AI is still mighty impressive. Rather than going the way of the dodo like other arcade basketball franchises, Street continues to gain momentum and is more desirable now than it has ever been.

Concept:
Slamfest 2005. Killer dunk contests, amazing slams, and more windmills than Holland

Graphics:
A towering level of realism can be found in the player models, courts, and lighting effects

Sound:
The announcer is quite funny, but he'll drive you nuts after awhile. The soundtrack is a bit slim, but it has a number of catchy tunes on it

Playability:
The controls are like butta. Juking and taking flight almost becomes second nature

Entertainment:
Coming back for thirds is rarely this satisfying

Replay:
High

Rated: 9 out of 10
Editor: Andrew Reiner
Issue: March 2005

2nd Opinion:
Just when you think Electronic Arts can't take it up another notch, out comes a new sequel that squashes the previous entry. Today's case in point: Street 3. With a huge range of customization options, killer online play, and a fantastic dunk contest (that is thankfully easier to execute than NBA Live's), Street 3 does little wrong. The use of the right analog stick combined with the shoulder buttons to execute tricks, jukes, and dunks gives the player more control over what actions take place on the court, which in turn makes the game feel smoother. Even the AI is improved (though still not quite perfect). Between the various editions, I'd personally go with the Xbox's stellar graphics package, but they shine on all three. Heck, you may even have to buy the game twice, since the GC has Mario. I know, shocker…Street Mario…is that one of the signs of the apocalypse?

Rated: 8.75 out of 10
Editor: Andy McNamara


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Product Description
NBA Street Vol. 3 hits the pavement with basketball like you've never seen. It has over-the-top, larger than life 3-on-3 gaming like you'd see on the best street courts. Play as any of the biggest NBA stars and pull off hundreds of crazy moves and dunks that you'd never see in a regular NBA game. New Dunk Contest mode hits the street -- see if you can execute the big air slams, link together combos in mid-air and impress the three-judge panel

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Missing Jordan as usual, but you can't deny this game rocks., February 10, 2005

By	John M Spangler (Bryan, OH United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

After 2 years since Volume 2, E.A. releases a very worthy successor, NBA Street Vol 3 is definitely worth your hard earned money.

Overall, Vol 3 is a must have for hoops fans, both casual and hardcore. It has enough new additions to warrant a buy even if you have volume 2.

The first thing I noticed is the upheavel in graphics. This game, putting it mildly, makes Vol 2 look like old school. The courts, the new dunk animations, the new motion captured moves, the teriffic new courts, and the best lookin' b'ball game I've ever layed my eyes on. Vol 3's grittier, darker look may be a downer to some, but one could never knock the time spent on it's graphical prowess. But the game's visual is not without faults however... For still some strange reason, Vol 3 does NOT support HD Tv's, widescreen is implimented thankfully, but HD support should be standard for every XBOX game, E.A. seems to be waiting for XBOX 2? Hmm, maybe next year. But even without HD, it still looks great, and most people with regular TV's will also be right at home.

The gameplay is a bit similar as last year, with the exception of a few minor differences. The big addition for XBOX is the addition of online play with XBOX Live. Collectively, you can play up to 5 other players online or 3 if you have 2 buddies to play at home with. 3 on 3 with each person controlling every player is quite a feat. Although it's early on, and I expect things to get busy online at first, I didn't notice extreme lag, but I did not play it at a peak hour so no final word how this game will really play online. NBA Live 2005 seems to continue to have issues online, so I was surprised how this game played a bit better with no lag.

Don't have XBOX Live? No problem. You can play up to 4 players with 4 xbox controllers. How cool is that? Multiplayer is where it's at and this game has it all for everyone. And don't think the game won't keep you busy, the street challenge mode will keep you busy for months.

Gone away is the "freestyle" stick, but don't let the game fool you, it's still there, they just changed the name to "trick stick". However, the trick stick allows you to do certain moves not while just dribbling, but also on defense, while shooting and dunking, passing, and even blocking shots. The more you use the "trick" stick the more points you score. Some killer moves like throwing the b'ball at opponents head, off of backboards, between their legs and even off spectators in the crowd. And never threat, the infamous "GameBreakers" are all back only this time you can change a dunk on the fly while the gamebreaker is interacting with the trick stick. With all new dunks and player celebrations, you're going to fall in love with this game from start to finish!

The game also seems to have a "home field advantage factor." The game requires you to create your "home court" in the street challenge mode. I noticed my players seemed to be more "in the zone" when I was playing on my home court I created compared to playing on other playa's turf. Speaking of courts, vol 3 offers 12 realistic courts (indoor and outdoor) from actual locations throughout Europe and the U.S each with their own unique feel. Each can be modified with countless changes like court time, location, colors, spectators, lights, etc, all can be completely customize to your liking. Even better, all courts can be played at different parts of the day including night and eve.

If the game disappoints, it's the absence of Jordan and Barkley. This is a big knock for some, not as much for others, but the fact is, the greatest player that ever played the game is not in the game and it truly is a disappointment. I'm sure you'll come across others that you were hoping to see along with Jordan, but there are certainly some other big names missing too. I understand it has to do with licensing issues but weirdly enough, Jordan was in NBA Street Vol 2, very weird. But although missing the greatest player in NBA history is a big strike, the lineup is still amazing as a whole. Spud Webb, Walt Frazier, Kareem, Magic, Bird, just to name a few.

To earn the dozens of old school ballers, you have to take your created baller and your amateur teammates (that you chose at the beginning of the game) through a virtual season in street challenge mode. Take your baller all the way to earn your rights to play the best players today in the NBA and the old school guys too. You earn the rights to earn new players and of course earn your shoes. The game still lets you customize your player (boy or girl) to-boot, jeans, baggy shorts, nba sweats, sweatpants, jean shorts, tank tops, NBA jerseys, shoes, socks, loaded with tons of customization. Change your hairstyle, change your eyebrows, nose length and width, ear size, chin, etc...

Word of warning, this game requires some serious playing time to get the items and attributes you want. It seems to take an eternity to earn skills and points to improve your player and get new ones. It took me a few games just to buy a new pair of shorts and shoes! As you keep playing, you can give more power and ratings to your created player too as the competion gets more fierce and eventually you'll run into NBA Players which really heats up the challenge.

New to the game, is the "morale" factor of your teammates. Do they get along, are they battling it out after hours? The morale factor keeps you updated between games on how your players are getting along. If you mix Rasheed Wallace and Reggie Miller on the same team, you might be more at risk for troubles. When the morale factor is low, players don't play as a team and it might be time to get a new roster to keep the fire low.

There is so much good about this game, I really can't say anything bad about it. I really think the two years off since Vol 2 is for the better as I consider this one of the best multiplayer games I've ever played. Definitely pick up some friends or go at it online, because this is the best street ball ever and I can only see the series getting better as time goes on. It's definitely worth your money.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Addictive Gameplay, April 24, 2005

By	Matthew Stewart - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

When I purchased this game for X-Box, my decision was based on the enjoyment that I got out of NBA Street 2 for PS2. I figured that the 3rd installment would be at least as good as the 2nd. Believe me, it's better. The graphics are very unique, much more three-dimensional than the previous version. I know that there are a lot of people that are disappointed that Michael Jordan is not included as a bonus player, but there are many bonus players, courts, items, etc. that keep the game fresh and as unique and original as possible. So if you're in the market for a fun game that isn't too difficult to get the hang of, then this game is a great choice. It only takes a few pick-up games to get the hang of the controls, and the game just gets better and better after that. The only drawback that I have found with this game is the lack of camera angles. The available angles are either too close or too far away for my tastes, but I have gotten used to.

5.0 out of 5 stars If I Could I Would Give It 10 Stars., April 24, 2005

By	Masta Playa "Fo' Reazil" (Lansing, MI) - See all my reviews

Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

I love all the NBA Streets series. Missing Michael Jordan but who cares this game is still fun as hell. The graphics are beautiful. I'm the King of this game, I rule this game. The best thing about is the slam dunk contest. So everybody get this game and don't try to challenge cause I will defeat you 21 (Me) to Zip (U).

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